Part 25 (1/2)
And in a few brief words he told how he happened to be at the bridge and what he had seen The constable listened with deep interest, but Isaac Marvelling pooh-poohed the whole story
”He's a good one at telling 'em,” said the store-keeper ”I don't place no credit in what he says”
”Well, it won't do any harht e”
”He , as he surveyed Matt's tall and well-built for to keep out of jail”
”I haveauctioneer
”Indeed?”
”Yes, sir I consider my reputation worth considerably more than a paltry forty-five dollars”
”Do you? Well, toauctioneer isn't worth ret those words,” was Matt's brief reply; and for the ti he said no more
In the meanwhile Jackson had struck a match and lit the so to it that Matt was safe in Marvelling's custody, the constable sprang down froe to the rocks below A second later he disappeared under the bridge
The two above heard hi the brush for all of five minutes Both listened for soht hold on Matt's ar?” cried the store-keeper at last, unable longer to stand the suspense
”I have,” returned Jackson, and a second later he appeared again, holding in his hand a carving-knife and two spoons
”Found these under the bridge,” he explained, as he claoods, I take it”
”Of course they are lanced at the articles ”Is that all?” he went on disappointedly
”That's all I could find Thererascal threw theely ”You is are at once, or I'll skin you alive!”
”Look here, Mr Marvelling; I want you to let go of me and be reasonable,” returned Matt, as calmly as he could ”I am not a thief
If I ould I tell the story I did, or send down your cos? My story about that object under the bridge is true, and, to , it was the thief you saw ju down to bathe ot scared and ran out on the other side of the bridge, and in his hurry he s which have been found”
”Stuff and nonsense!”
”His story may be true,” put in Jackson mildly
”My advice is to follow up the brook and see if you cannot track the thief,” went on the young auctioneer ”And do not lose any ti it”
”And ill becoo with you, if you wish”
”That's a good idea,” said the constable ”Come, let us start without delay If we can't find anybody we can take the boy to the lock-up, anyway”